Tony Butala, a founding member of the vocal group The Lettermen and a longtime force behind its signature harmony sound, has died, the group announced.
Butala began singing professionally at age 7 in Sharon, Pennsylvania. By age 8 he was performing on KDKA radio in Pittsburgh. After the family relocated to California, he joined the Mitchell Boys Choir and appeared in films including “White Christmas,” “Peter Pan,” “War of the Worlds” and “On Moonlight Bay.”
In the late 1950s he helped create The Lettermen. Under his guidance the group developed its distinctive three-part vocal style, which earned it four Grammy nominations and audiences worldwide. Butala led the ensemble throughout his career, combining its early hits with contemporary material in later years.
The Lettermen received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Butala stepped away from performing in May 2019 after helping establish the foundation for the group to continue. The Lettermen are still performing more than 65 years after the group’s formation.
He is survived by his children, grandchildren, siblings and other family members. The Lettermen organization said he was known for his talent, perseverance and approachable manner, and that his influence remains in every performance by the group.